Miss Ohio attends ball
By Jack L. Blankenship Lancaster Contributing Writer Apryl Pilolli
Fairy tales still really do come true.
Thirty little girls had all their wishes granted Saturday as they attended the Fairfield County District Library's "Cinderella Ball."
Many dressed in gowns their parents made or bought, the girls were greeted at the door as royalty.
Immediately, a staff member from the library put a colorful sash on them. Nervous and excited, they would do more than just ballroom dancing and other exciting games the library had arranged for them. They would meet a very special guest who had a Cinderella story of her own.
Tiffany Jean Haas was crowned Miss Ohio last year in Mansfield. She wanted to let all the special princesses surrounding her know it's more than just wearing a crown. Haas is on a mission, and she wanted everyone at the Cinderella Ball to know there were some unfortunate children who couldn't smile or even laugh.
"I believe that we could make our world a better place to live in by giving smiles to the children who are suffering from facial deformities," Haas told her audience. "I want to continue to make a difference in the lives of many children."
Operation Smile is a private, non-profit volunteer medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States. The program provides education and training around the world to physicians and other health professionals to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
"My main objective is to create an awareness through happy clubs in high schools," Haas said. "Because within these clubs are students who exceed in their schools as leaders."
Besides talking about Operation Smile, she let the little princesses ask questions. Many of the girls wonder about the crown she takes with her everywhere she travels. Haas told her audience that she gets to keep her crown.
Haas said that after she is through with her duties as Miss Ohio. She will return to the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music as a junior. Her major is musical theater, and after she graduates she is hoping to be Broadway bound. Before she was Miss Ohio, she toured and performed with the Virginia Opera for three years. She also attended the Broadway Theatre Project with Ann Reinking, Gregory Hines and Ben Vereen. Highlights of her life have been meeting Julie Andrews and going on a special surgical mission to Venezuela with Operation Smile.
While the Purdy sisters, Rachel, 9, and Sara, 7, were too young to really think about dating a Prince Charming, they both confess meeting Miss Ohio will be a memory they cherish for a long time.
Originally published Tuesday, June 3, 2003